Paul F. Robertson Award for Research Breakthrough of the Year

The Paul F. Robertson Award for the EMS Breakthrough of the Year was created in 2012 with support from a generous gift by EMS alumnus Paul F. Robertson. Although the award will recognize research achievements over the previous year, qualifying materials (e.g., journal articles, reports, conference presentations) may come from the previous twenty-four months to allow for recognition of the work by the broader scientific community.

In EMS, the Wilson Awards for Excellence in Research and Teaching are given annually to faculty members in the college who have built an identifiable body of outstanding research and teaching over a period of years. Previously there were no awards given for singular research or teaching achievements communicated in one or a small series of articles, reports, or presentations and this award was created for that purpose.

The recipient shall be honored with a recognition memento and a monetary award at the Wilson Awards Banquet held each spring.

Nomination Procedure

Annually in December, the dean will invite one nomination from each department and institute for this award. Qualifying breakthroughs may be in research or in the scholarship of teaching. All EMS fixed-term and tenure-line faculty qualify for this award. Nominations should include:

An introductory letter consisting of a short summary (150 words or fewer) describing the significance of the work in its field. The letter may be accompanied by up to three reprints and/or documentation that provides evidence of the impact of the work

Supporting letters from colleagues familiar with the nominee's work

The nominee's current curriculum vitae

A professional portrait suitable for the program

The nomination materials may be submitted electronically to Diane Ault (emsresearch@ems.psu.edu) along with four hard copies sent to the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Research in 248 Deike Building by no later than November 15. Nominations received by the deadline will be reviewed by a committee consisting of the dean and the associate deans in the college.